Farmers Market Coalition has created this free set of Data Collection Tools, based on the questions in the FMC Question Bank, for farmers markets and State Networks and to use and adapt as needed. Each tool is available in three formats– pdf (for easy printing), MS Word document (for customizing or extracting from), and Google form (for use in electronic forms and surveys).  If you do not use a tool in its entirety, you may consider adding questions from them to your existing forms, such your vendor application, customer survey, or membership application (for state orgs).

Measures market-day activities (per location) and covers topics such as operations, vendors, and food assistance. Typically collected every market day by Market Organizations.

Measures location-specific details and covers topics such as market site, vendors, and market season. Typically completed annually by Market Organizations, at any point in the year, possibly on request of  State Networks or Organizations. 

Measures organization-specific details and covers topics such as mission, operations, and vendor policies. Typically completed annually by Market Organizations, at any point in the year, possibly on request of State Networks or Organizations and/or Market Organizations. 

This document has two sections, one for the Market Organization, and another for Market Location.  For Market Organizations with more than one location, complete the location section for each site.

Measures vendor business details and covers topics such as products, marketing channels, business structure, and demographics. Typically completed by vendors and collected annually, at any point in the year,by Market Organizations.  Vendor profile questions can also be incorporated into market’s Vendor Application.

Measures visitor behavior and motivations and covers topics such as markets’ economic impact, visitors’ buying habits, and food security status. Typically collected periodically (as capacity allows) during the market season by Market Organizations.